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Skoda Karoq India Launch For Mid-2020: Confirmed

Driving the Volkswagen Group's India Plan 2.0, Skoda has built up an all-new intensely limited MQB AO IN stage, which will be utilized to create future Volkswagen and Skoda autos in India. The automaker is all set to launch three new vehicles in the Indian market under the plan including the Karoq SUV. Now, the Czech automaker has confirmed that the Karoq SUV will be launched in the country by mid- 2020.

Expected to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2020, the Skoda Karoq is likely to make its way to the Indian market through the CKD route and will be assembled at the manufacturer’s Aurangabad plant. The upcoming Skoda Karoq will sit on the VW’s MQB platform like the Kodiaq SUV. This model has been spotted undergoing road testing in India a lot of times already. Though the Karoq SUV will be a replacement to the discontinued Yeti in the market, the new model will be bigger with a toned down design compared to the Yeti.

For the global market, the SUV comes with five powertrain options, including two petrol and three diesel engines. Two petrol engine options include a 1.0- liter TSI three-cylinder motor and a 1.5- liter TSI unit. The diesel range includes a 1.6- liter engine, Kodiaq- sourced 2.0- liter unit and another 2.0- liter engine. The latter 2.0- liter diesel engine gets the highest power output of 189 bhp. This engine comes mated to a 7- speed dual- clutch automatic gearbox as standard while other engine options are mated to 6- speed manual gearbox. However, in the Indian market, it is likely to come powered by 2.0- liter TDI diesel motor as well as the 1.5- liter turbocharged petrol motor.

In terms of features, the SUV will offer a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a large touchscreen infotainment system and a premium sound system. Also, the ‘VarioFlex’ rear seats as an option, giving it a variable boot space between 479 liters and 588 liters by sliding the seats backward and forwards like Yeti will be available. There will also be the option to completely remove the seats to increase the trunk capacity to 1,810 liters.

With the Indian Government’s new vehicle norms, it has encouraged the manufacturers for importing vehicles as CBU in the market. Earlier, it was a difficult thing to do due to the high cost and complicated paperwork. According to the new norms, carmakers are allowed to import up to 2,500 units without homologation, in order to keep the price in check and get more demand. However, after launching the Karoq SUV in India, Skoda will monitor the market response to this model to decide whether they should localize it or not.

Skoda was preparing to launch the Karoq this year in the country, but the launch got delayed till mid- 2020. The SUV made its global debut in May 2017 and sits between the Kamiq and the Kodiaq in Skoda’s global portfolio. When launched, the 2020 Skoda Karoq is likely to be priced above the bracket of Rs 20 lakh and will rival the likes of the top- variants of Jeep Compass and the upcoming Hyundai Tucson facelift. Stay tuned to V3cars.com for further updates on the upcoming 2020 Skoda Karoq SUV in India.